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Five Republicans who matter on immigration

Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador

This freshman with rock-solid conservative credentials is high on the list of likely partners for Democrats on any immigration overhaul. Labrador certainly has the expertise; he practiced immigration law for years and started his own practice. And the Puerto Rico native, who moved to the mainland as a teenager with his single mother, brings a compelling personal tale to the debate.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), a leading advocate for immigration reform, singled out Labrador as one of the best Republican allies for Democrats in any effort to overhaul immigration laws.

“Raul has the temperament, he has clear tea party credentials, he has a background on immigration and he wants to get this done,” Gutierrez said. “When I talk to Republicans, the one person they say I should talk to is Raul Labrador.”

Still, Labrador is at odds with Democrats who want immigration reform to be done in a comprehensive package that includes a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants.

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Rubio and Cruz will have to be added – the GOP is in full pander mode and both are of hispanic descent, the urge to wheel them out to claim Absolute Moral Authority will be irresistible.

They will both tell touching stories about the sacrifices their families made, about what it means to be an immigrant, about how their families worked in Taco factories for 22 hours a day to give them the chance they never had.

The thing is, most Americans could tell more or less the same story. This is a nation of immigrants and most first generation Americans move here poor and running from some place. There’s not much special in that generic story – unless you want to exploit it for personal gain by playing identity politics to advance your career.